Which set is the primary index scores of the WAIS-IV?

• A. Verbal IQ, Performance IQ, Working Memory, Processing Speed.
• B. Auditory Processing, Visual Processing, Working Memory, Processing Speed.
• C. Verbal Comprehension Index; Perceptual Reasoning Index; Working Memory Index; Processing Speed Index.
• D. Language Index, Memory Index, Spatial Index, Executive Index.

Answer: (C)

WaIS-IV organizes its measures around four primary index scores that capture distinct cognitive domains. These are Verbal Comprehension Index, Perceptual Reasoning Index, Working Memory Index, and Processing Speed Index. Verbal Comprehension Index reflects verbal knowledge and reasoning based on language. Perceptual Reasoning Index assesses nonverbal problem solving and visuospatial skills. Working Memory Index measures the ability to hold and manipulate information in mind, while Processing Speed Index gauges how quickly a person can scan, process, and respond to simple visual information under time pressure. Together, these four indices form the basis for the Full Scale IQ.

Some options reflect older labeling (Verbal IQ and Performance IQ) from earlier editions, which isn’t how the WAIS-IV is structured. Others refer to domains like Auditory Processing or Visual Processing, or to labels like Language, Memory, Spatial, and Executive, which aren’t the WAIS-IV primary indices. The four named here—Verbal Comprehension, Perceptual Reasoning, Working Memory, and Processing Speed—are the standard WAIS-IV primary index scores.